ENJOY AND FEEL THE REAL SPIRIT OF ARMENIAN and GEORGIAN BEVERAGES
BRANDY, WINE, VODKA AND BEER

DAY 1

On arrival at Zvartnots International Airport you are met by your Tour Guide and begin your unique journey in Armenia.

Transfer to the hotel; Check-in; Rest Time

WELCOME DINNER at an Armenian Traditional Restaurant

Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan

DAY 2

Breakfast served

As we get acquainted with Yerevan, we should start with the Erebouni museum and Fortress. Wine-making epoch in Armenia began from 782 B.C. when the fortress was found. During excavations in Erebouni fortress, 18 clay vats (karas) for wine were discovered, each having more than 600 liter capacity. Counting our day we’ll have a chance to not only see the vats and barrels of wine and brandy, but also taste some kinds of Armenian brandies and oldest wine in “NOY” ARARAT Brandy, Wine and Vodka Factory:“…one does not drink brandy, one derives pleasure from it”.

Lunch in one of the traditional restaurants of Yerevan.

Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide, one of the most impressive monuments in Yerevan.

“Kilikia Beer” factory – drink and feel pleasant and pure malt and hop taste of Armenian beer. It has a subtle bitterness and tender hop aroma.

Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan

DAY 3

Breakfast served

Khor Virap Monastery (St. Gregory the Illuminator’s underground pit); amazing view of Biblical Mt. Ararat: “The blessed Mountain for Armenians”; next stop is “Areni Winery” which is located in a quaint village in Vayots Dzor Province, one of the most prolific wine making regions in Armenia with rich history. All year round one can enjoy the taste of immortal “Areni” wine– “Wine is bottled poetry” and, depending on the period of the year, we can also participate in the entire process of wine making which includes the harvesting of grapes, squeezing the grapes by foot to traditional music, pouring the wine into jugs. After this, we travel through the narrow gorge towards Noravank Monastery. Upon this road it is revealed the miracle of both “Human-and-naturally-created beauty”.

Lunch in Noravank

Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan

DAY 4

Breakfast served

After an appetizing breakfast, we will visit the ancient monastery, churches and museum complex of Etchmiadzin (UNESCO World Heritage), the seat of the Catholics of all Armenians. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is the religious capital of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The complex houses 3 main churches, including the Cathedral. Built in 303 AD, the cathedral is a masterpiece of Armenian classical architecture and considered to be one of the world’s earliest Christian churches. Just steps away, you will admire the Hripsime andGayane Churches (7th c) named after the faithful virgins of the 3rd century.

The day is unique since we will make not only VODKA but also traditional Armenian delicious dish – DOLMA forlunch.

Vodka is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages in Armenia. So today we have an opportunity to make it by ourselves and enjoy home-made vodka’s real taste. To create it we need to pass through some steps of preparation. At first we start creating a mash then get involved in the distillation, filtration and finally the dilution processes. While the vodka preparation is still in the process, we have another task to complete; that’s the Dolma-making. It’s a type of a meal consisting of stuffed vegetables. First we have to prepare the filling after start the stuffing the Dolma to stem up to form a sausage-like rolls. Depending on season, we can make different kind of Dolma with cabbage leaves, eggplants, tomatoes and peppers, as well.

Bon Apatite!!!

Overnight at the hotel in Yerevan

DAY 5

Breakfast served

ARMENIA-GEORGIA

Transfer to the Armenia-Georgia (Bagratashen- Sadakhlo) Boarder

On the way we will visit the New Complex of Armenian Letters: “It is difficult to express the deep feeling Armenians have for their language, which many regard as the lifeblood of their culture”.

Alaverdy – town in a canyon, between Yerevan and the border of Georgia; Wonderful monasteries Haghpat and Sanahin where artistic merits transcend the limits of the national culture.

Lunch in one of the restaurants of the Lori Region with live Armenian music, completing your journey with unforgettable memories.

OPTIONAL: Today before leaving the territory of Armenia, depending on seasonality, it is possible to make wine or vodka from various local berries.

Our Georgian representatives will meet you at the Georgian-Armenian border and with “fast track” assistance help you through Customs and Passport Control, introduce you to the guide and transfer to the hotel. Check in to the hotel and free time to rest.

Evening Welcome Dinner in traditional Georgian restaurant.

Overnight at a hotel in Tbilisi

Day 6

Kakheti Region- Gurjaani, Telavi – HOME OF WINE & VINE

After breakfast, departure to Eastern Georgian province-Kakheti. This province is known as a birthplace of wine and cradle of viniculture. Visit a typical Georgian house in Gurjaani to experience ‘Georgian Corner’, have a traditional Georgian lunch featuring ‘Tamada’ – leader of the table.

OPTIONAL: Homemade wine tasting at a family’s more than 100 years old winery. Drive to the regional centre of Kakheti, Telavi.

Dinner and Overnight at a guesthouse in Telavi

Day 7

Tsinandali, Sighnaghi

Today we may visit the residence of one of the most beloved and notable Georgian families- princes Chavchavadze. XIX c. residence of legendary figure Alexander Chavchavadze consists of summer house, garden and winery featuring several vintages of white vine.

OPTIONAL: Wine tasting on spot.

Afterwards we continue our excursion to Sighnaghi – a small town located on a hilltop with beautiful views of Alazani river valley and the Caucasus Mountain Range. Sighnaghi is surrounded by XVIII c. fortified wall – the longest one of existing fortifications in Georgia.

Lunch

Overnight at the hotel in Sighnaghi

Day 8

Sighnaghi, Mtskheta, Tbilisi

In the morning after breakfast drive to the ancient capital of the country Mtskheta. Here Georgians adopted Christianity in the beginning of 4th C. and Mtskheta still remains the Headquarters of Georgian Orthodox Church. Here on can find a number of significant archaeological and religious monuments, dominated by the Cathedral Svetitskhoveli (11th C.) and the church of Jvari (6th Century). Mtskheta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lunch at a local restaurant in Mtskheta and excursion in the town.

Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 9

Tbilisi city tour

Tbilisi City tour –We may start our excursion with an optional visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts. The Museum houses the best-known samples of Georgian artwork. The permanent exhibitions display artworks from medieval times up to twentieth century. We continue our tour with old city and take a walk through narrow old streets to Metekhi palace, Narikala fortress and Abanotubani. Afterwards drive to Sarajishvili Wine & Brandy Factory.

David Sarajishvili was the first person to set up a cognac production in Georgia and the Caucasus. Factory was founded in 1884 and the first cognac was produced in 1887. Sarajishvili factory products were awarded by a lot of international awards since 1889 and in 1913 the Sarajishvili Company was honored with the status of The Official Supplier to the Emperor’s Court. Nowadays the factory is active and maintains the culture developed by its founder.

Farewell dinner in Traditional Georgian restaurant with live music.

Overnight at the hotel in Tbilisi.

Day 10

Departure

After the breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to the Tbilisi International Airport.

End of the tour.

SERVICES:

Full transportation and transfers in Armenia and Georgia as specified in the itinerary